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Caffeine and conversation at PSU Altoona

fooser_web.jpgEat N’ Park’s jingle as a place for smiles rings true for Penn State Altoona students and CCO staff worker Rachel Foose, as they’ve claimed it as their Thursday-night hang out spot. Rachel and her co-worker, Curt Wright, lead a student fellowship called SALT (Students About Living Truth). Afterwards, instead of joining fellow peers at the bars for ‘thirsty Thursday,’ a group of around six dozen students will gather at Eat N’ Park. ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ is contrived as a night for college students to get drunk and party before the weekend begins.

At PSU Altoona where the majority of students commute, Rachel and Curt are creating ways for students to connect to others and to local churches. Rachel mentors two female student SALT leaders to equip them with skills and a mindset to serve other students on their campus.

Rachel also works part-time at the Commonplace Coffeehouse & Roastery as a barista. The coffee shop is situated beneath an off-campus housing complex that gives PSU students quick access to caffeine and conversation.

A student named Mike started showing up at the coffee shop regularly because Rachel listened to him, and he felt accepted. Slowly he began opening up to her, sharing details of his life with her.

“[Mike] told me about the birthday party that nearly took his life and how he miraculously woke from his drunken night with belief that his life was spared for a purpose, but he didn’t know what,” explains Rachel. “I slowly realized that I was no longer sitting at a table in a coffee shop, but I was sitting in sacred space.”

Mike started attending SALT and hanging out with one of the student leaders with whom he shared similar interests. He became more involved by attending their spring break trip to Mississippi. It was during this trip that Mike accepted Christ.

“The shop provides a safe and neutral environment for me to meet and get to know students like Mike. I have the opportunity to build relationships with students who wouldn’t feel comfortable coming to SALT,” says Rachel.

Rachel sculpts students into adept leaders by being an integral part of their college experience. She has been on staff for 10 months, yet has already left imprints in students’ lives that will last a lifetime. With Rachel working as a barista, this is one caffeine addiction parents want their children to have.